Clutch mechanism or type-writer platens.



G. M. HOWE. CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITER PLATENS.

APPLIGATTON FILED MAY 28, 1908.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

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G. M. HOWE. I CLUTCH MEGHANISM FOR TYIE WRITER PLZ ITENS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1908.

Patented Apr. 18,193.

3 SHEETS SHEBT Z.

G. M. HOWE. CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITER PLATENS.

APPLIGATION FILED MA-Y 28, 1908. I Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

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GEORGE M. HOWE, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK;

CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR TYPE-l/VRITER E -ATE'NS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 19M.

na e re nentv in Clutch Mechanism for Type-Writer Platens, of which the following is a specification. V 1

The invention-relates to a clutch or cou' pling for connecting and disconnecting the platen of a typewriting or adding machine and its feeding mechanism, so as to permit of turning the platen independently of the feed mechanism for the purpose of making interlineations or hringinga certain part oi the Writing surface to the printing position. The object of this invention is to produce a clutch of this character which will reliably couple and uncouple the platen ,and its feedmg mechanism, which 18 not liable to hecome (llSlIOTtBd or inoperative, durmg" 'ordn nary use, which will remain either in its coupled or uncoupled position without manual aid. and which so constructed that the operation of uncoupling or coupling the platen and its feed mechanism and the operation of turning the platen when uncoupled frtan the feed mechanism may be cttected by the same. hand, thcrehy leaving the other hand free for manipulating the sheet. the typewriter or other purposes.

In the accoi'npanying' drawings consisting of sheets: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of. a typewriter platen and associated parts embodying: one term of clutch for containing my. invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the platen. supporting carriage and feed mechanism with the right handshifting hutton omitted. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section in line 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig". l is a detached edge View, partly in sec- 'tion of the platen feed wheel and one of the clutch jaws. Fig. 5 is a face View of the feed wheel. l ig. 6 is an end view of theclutch operating levers and the shifting sleeve which actuates said levers. Fig. 7 is' an end elevation of the clutch levers viewed from the opposite end thereof and showing the support for the same. S is a longitudinalsection of a platen providedwith a. modified form of my improved clutch for connecting and disconnecting the same with I its feed mechanism. Figs. 9, l0 and 11 are transverse sections in the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 8. Figs. 12 and 1.3

clutch levers and the support and shifting sleeve associated therewith forming part of the clutch, shown in Figs. 8-11. Fig. Ll is a longitudinal section showing another modification in the construction of the clutch em.- hodying my invention for connecting and disconnecting a typewriter platen and its feed mechanism. Fig. 15 is a fragmentm'y top plan view of the platen, and its supporting carriage. 16 is a cross section in line l6---i6, Fig. Ll. Fig. 17 is a detached vertical section of the feed wheel and one of the clutch jaws forming; part of the clutch mechanism shown in Figs. let and i6. 18 is a sectional end view of the same. Figs. 19 and 20 are detached sectional elevations of the clutch levers and their supports viewed from opposite ends and forming part of the clutch mechanism shown in Figs. 14: and 16.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A represents the hollow cylindrical platen of a typewriter and 13 the carria 'e on which the platen is rotatahly supported. The means shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for thus supporting the platen on the carriage consists of a spindle v secured to the left head (1 of the platen and iournaled in a hearing 7) at the left end of the carriage. a feed wheel ll having an inwardly projecting cylindrical huh (Z a clutch sleeve E secured to the head 6 on the right end of the platen and turning with the outer part of its hore on the hub (7 of the teed wheel. and a shifting rod f arranged axially in the platen and feed wheel and joum'mled adjacent to the outer side of the feed wheel in a hearing F at the right end of the carriage. The feed wheel may he turned forward step by step for advancing,

the platen by any suitable means. the means for this purpose shown in Fig.2 consisting of a ratchet lever (l pivoted on the carriage and provided with a pawl yr whicheng'agcs an annular row otratchet teeth arr: aged on the periphery of the feed wheel. Backward nioren'ient of the latter is prevented by means oi a detent pawl 71. secured to the carriage and engaging with the 'teetl'i of the ratchet teed wheel. I p

The clutch mechanism shown in 14", for connecting and tlisconnecting the feed wheehand platen includes the shifting rod f as one of its elements and is constructed asare detached sectional elevations of the. follows: I represents a guide tubeor sleeve Surrounding the inner part ofthe. shifting rod 1 and connected at its outer end with the hub of the feed wheel so as to form practically an inward extension of the latter.. J, J represent twocurved clutch jaws or, shoes arranged between the clutch sleeve and the guide sleeve and adapted to engage with their outer convex sides against the bore of this sleeve; At their opposing ends these clutch jaws are provided with beveled faces j and one or both of these jaws is preferably pivoted directly at one end on thehub of the feed Wheelby a'longitudinal piv-- oted pin or screw y, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, so as to compelthese shoes and the parts cooperating therewith to turn positively with the feed wheel. K, K representa pair of clutch levers which are arranged lengthwise within the hollow platen on opposite sides of its axis and each having its front arm constructed to-form a wedge lo which tapers radially inward while its rear arm is provided with a lug k which projects radially inward therefrom. The wedge of each clutch lever is arranged between two correspondmg ends of the clutch jaws and when moved radially inward enof a bracket, cross piece or head L which is secured to the guide sleeve adjacent to the inner side of the clutch jaws. M represents a shifting sleeve for operating the clutch levers andthe platen. This sleeve is slidable lengthwise and also rotatable on the inner end of the guide sleeve and provided with an inwardlyltapering conical face m, a cylindrical fact1 m at the base of the conical face, and a atsided flank of at the apex of the coniczilface. The inner end of the shifting-rod isconnected by a screw joint, otherwise, with the shifting sleeve M and its outer end is provided with a button, knob, handle or finger piece N. The flat-sided shank of the shifting sleeve engages with a correspondingly shaped opening 1n boreof the Lplaten, whereby this shifting diaphragm 0 secured in the sleeve and th platen are compelled to turn together but the sleeve is capable of longitudinal movement independently of the platen.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig.

1, the shifting sleeve is moved to the right into its retracted or inoperative position. so.

that the apex pf the cone on theshifting sleeve is in line with the lugs on the clutch levers, whereby the latter are free to turn in the direction for disengaging the clutch jaws from the clutch sleeve. While the parts are in this position the platen is dis bringing any desired parts of its periphery to the printing line or for other purposes.

After the platen has been shifted as much as desired independently of the feeding mechanism the handle N is pushed inwardly together with the shifting rod and shifting .sleeve a suflicient extent to cause the conical iace of the shlftmg sleeve to move past the lugs of the clutch levers and then engage its cylindrical face with said lugs, whereby these levers are turned in thedirection for catising its wedge-shaped front arms to spread the clutch jaws into engagement with the bore of the clutch sleeve and cause the platen tobe coupled with the feed wheel.

When the platen is thus connected with the feed wheel the sameis again under the control of its feeding mechanism and cannot be moved 'or turned independently of this mechanism.

Provision is made for preventing the shifting sleeve from accidentally moving .lengthwise in the platen and releasing the clutch levers when the carriage is jarred from any cause, particularly when tabulating, at which time the carriage often jumps a considerable "space and is brou ht to asudden-stopl This is preferably e ected by providing the cylindrical surface of the shifting sleeve adjacent to the base of its conical face with an annular groove m ,'as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. With this groove the lugs of the clutch leversare adapted to engage when the shifting sleeve is moved inwardly into its operative position, thereby holding the latter securely against acci dental displacement in a direction lengthwise of its axis. This groove is preferably of such depth and is rounded as are also the inner ends of the lugs of the clutch levers, so that upon drawing the shifting sleeve outwardly its high cylindrical part can bereadily disengaged from the clutch levers for uncoupling the platen from the feed mechanism. Vhile engaging and disengaging the lugs of the clutch levers with the groove m these levers are sprung'somewhat I this being possible by making these levers sufiiciently resilient for this-purpose.

The clutch for connecting and disconnecting the platen and its feeding mechanism and the turning movement-of the platen independently of the feeding mechanism when disconnectedfrom the latter maybe effected by one hand applied-to the handle, finger piece or knob N at the right end of the platen, inasmuch as this handleis operatlvely connected with the clutch and the 70 engaged from the feeding mechanism and may-be turned independently thereof for platen andis therefore common to both. The other hand of the operator is thus left free to adjust the paper, make corrections, operate the machine or perform other functions. If desired, however the platen may be turned directly by means of a handle, finger. piece or knob N secured to the spindle at the left end of the platen.

Owing to the possibility of turning the platen from either end when the same is disengaged from the feeding mechanism and also enabling the coupling anduncoupling of the platen and feeding mechanism and the turning of the platen independently of the feeding mechanism to be effected by the same handle, the machine can be used with greater facility.

The modified construction of the clutch mechanism for typewriter platens, shown in Figs. 8 to 13, is constructed as follows: P, P represents the right and left hand sec tions of a divided platen shaft which pass through heads. 79,- p atthe right and left ends of the hollow platen and are ournaled in bearings g, g on the carriage. The right shaft section is provided with av handle, finger piece or knob N and is connected with the platen so as to be compelled to turn therewith but be free to move lengthwise thereof, this connection being preferably effected by means of a transverse pin 7 on this shaft section engaging with a longitudinal vslot 71 formed in the hub ofithe right platen head. .The left hand shaft section is provided with a' thumb piece,handle or knob N vand is connected with the feed mechanism of the platen which comprises a ratchet feed wheel D secured to the shaft section P beactuating pawl d engaging with the teeth of the'feed wheel, and a detent pawl. d secured to the carriage and engaging with the teeth of the feed wheel. On the inner side of the leftplaten head the same is proivded with a clutch sleeve E the bore of which engaged by a pair of curved clutch shoes or jaws .1, J K, K represent a pair of 'clutch levers pivoted on opposite sides of a cross piece or bracket L secured to the left shaft section and having wedge shaped front arms K engaging between the opposing heveled ends of the clutch jaws. M represents a shifting sleeve which is secured at one end to the right shaft section while its opposite ends slides upon the opposing inner end of the left shaft section and forms a guide gage with inwardly projecting lugs is onthe rear arms of the clutch levers.

withdrawing the right shaft section together Upon j with the shifting sleeve by means of the right handle h the lugs of the clutch levers are arranged in line with the apex of the cone on the shifting sleeve, whereby the wedge-shaped front arms of the clutch levers are disengaged from the clutch jaws and the platen is uncoupled from the feed mechanisn'i. \Vhile the parts are in this po' sition the platen is free to be turned inde pendently of the feed mechanism by means of the right handle N and during this time the left handle N is incapable of turning the platen. Upon again pushing the right handle N inwardly together with the right shaft section and shifting sleeve the cone of the latter by engaging with the lugs K turns the clutch levers in the direction for causing them to spread the clutch jaws into engagementwith the bore of the clutch sleeve, thereby again coupling the platen and its feed mechanism.

The construction of the platen clutch mechanism, shown in Figs.'1t 20., is constructed as follows: P 1 represent the right and left sections of the platen shaft which are journalcd respectively in bearings (1 g on the carriage and provided with handles or buttons l The left shaft section passes through a head S on the left end of the platen and is con'ipelled-to turn with the same but is free to move lengthwise independently thereof by means of a trans verse pin a secured to this shaft section and engaging with a longitudinal slot 8 in the. hub of the platen head S. The right shaft section passes through the feed wheel D of the platen feeding mechanism and is held in alinen'ient with the left hand section by means of a shifting sleeve M secured at its left end to the left shaft section and mounted loosely at its opposite ends on the left shaft section; The hub of the feed wheel D turns in the outer part of the bore of the clutch sleeve E arranged at the right end of the platen. pivoted on opposite sides of a bracket or cross piece If secured to the right shaft sec-- tion and engaging with their wedge shaped front" arms K between the beveled ends of a pair ofclutch jaws J J? arranged within the bore of the clutch sleeve E while their .rear arms are provided with lugs K? which are adapted to be engaged by'a conical face at, a cylindrical face m and agroove m on the shifting sleeve M One of the clutch jaws is pivoted at one of its ends by a pin j to the feed wheel so as to compel the clutch jaws and the parts associated therewith to turn with the feed. wheel. Upon pushing the left button N inwardly or toward the right, the shifting sleeve M turns the clutch levers in the direction for causing them to spread the clutch jaws into ei1gage1nent 'with the bore of the clutch sleeve E thereby coupling the platen and its feed mechanism.

K Y represent two clutch levers Upon moving the left button toward the left together with the left shaft section and shifting sleeve, so that they occupy the posi' tion shown in Fig. 14, the clutch levers are permitted to relax and free the clutch jaws from the clutch sleeve E thereby releasing the platen from the feed mechanism and permitting the platen. to be turned by' the left handle independently of the feed mecha nism. When the platen is coupled withthe feed mechanism the same can be forcibly turned by the button at either end thereof and overcome the resistance of the feedating the same handle, thereby avoid-ing unnecessary movement of the hand and loss of time of the operator. Furthermore, in each of the several constructions shownand described the parts remain in their shifted position when the clutch is coupled or uncoupled without requiring ,constantpressure of the hand of the operator to keep the parts in position, thereby enabling the operator to employ both hands when necessary for adjustingythemaper, making corrections, or

" using them for other purposes.

Bytemploying a pair of clutch levers which are arranged on opposite sides of the axis of the platen, shaft, and shifting sleeve the pressure of these levers .is neutralized so far as any effect on the shaft is concerned, thereby preventing this shaft from being distorted or deflected laterally and cause binding of the parts which would-occur if only one clutch lever were employed.

Although the foregoing description refers more particularly to the application of myinvention in the platen of a. typewritingmachine 1t s obvlous that the same is equally appllcable to platens of addmg machines in which the numbers are printed on a. sheet:

.d1a-phragm securedto the platen and having and also to other machines in which characters are written on a platen by means of type' and it is therefore to be understood that the term typewriter in the specificlition'and adapted to engage with the lever, and means for compelling the cone and platen to turn I I together but permitting the cone to move axially independently of the platenv consisting of a fiat sided shank arranged on the cone, and a diaphragm secured to the platen and having a flat-sided opening which receives said shank. j

2. In a typewriter, the combination of a platen, a feed device for the platen, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the platen and feed device com-prising a clutch jaw connected with the feed device, a clutch lever engaging with said jaw, and a shifting sleeve having a conical face adapted to shift said lever into its operative position, a straight face which engageswith said lever when the sameis in its operative position and a groove in said straight face with which-the lever interlocks in its operative position. j

3. In a typewriter, the combination of a platen, a feed device for the platen, anda clutch for connecting and disconnecting the platen and feed device comprising a clutch jaw connected with the feed device, a clutch lever engaging with said jaw, a cone adapted to engage withf'the lever, means for compelling the cone and platen to turn together but permitting the cone to move axially independently of the platen, and a guide sleeve upon which said cone is mounted and which is connected with the feed device. V

4. Ina typewriter, the combination of a hollow platen, a feed device having a wheel provided with a hub, a clutch sleeve secured to the platen and turning with part of its bore on the hub of said wheel, a pair of clutch jaws arranged within the bore of said clutch sleeve and having their opposing ends beveled, a pair of clutch levers having wedge 00 shaped outer arms which engage between the beveled ends, of the clutch jaws while their opposite arms are provided with lugs which project radially inward, a shifting sleeve to engage with said lugs for turning :said

levers andrftlirhjitving a fiat sided shank, a

a flat sided opening which receives said shank, a guide sleeve connected with said -1:10

Wheel and supportingsaid shiftingsleeve, a cross piece whlch is secured to said guide sleeve and to which said levers are pivoted,

and a shifting rod 'slidable lengthwise'in ed with said shifting. sleeve.

Witness my hand th1s'25th day ofiMay, 1908.

the uide sleeve a'ndfeed wheel and connect- 115 GEORGE M; HOWE. Witnesses:'

T:HEo.,L. Porr, :ANNA HEIeIsf having conical. and cylindrical faces adapted 1 

